The five most important retail tech news stories of the week
It’s Friday, the week is nearly done, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful week for the retail technology space. Here's your briefing on the most important and interesting stories from the past five days.
1. Amazon Prime Day set for 13th and 14th October
After months of uncertainty, we finally have a date for Amazon Prime Day 2020.
Various publications went live with stories last week, flagging up Tuesday, 13th October.
Amazon did not confirm those reports at the time, but on Monday morning it issued a press release stating that the two-day shopping event would indeed kick off on that date.
2. Food shoppers and retailers face massive tariff bill, BRC warns
Supermarkets and their customers face £3.1 billion a year of tariffs on food and drink unless a free trade deal is reached between the UK and the European Union, according to the British Retail Consortium.
3. Aldi UK focuses on new stores and Click and Collect as sales soar
Aldi UK is planning to invest £1.3 billion in new stores and jobs after posting rising sales during the coronavirus pandemic.
The discounter expects to open around 100 new stores over 2020 and 2021 in line with its long-term target of 1,200 by 2025, alongside over 100 store upgrades under its Project Fresh initiative.
Other investments include new and expanded distribution centres and the roll-out of its Click and Collect service which was piloted and launched to customers last week.
4. New Walmart store design leans heavily on omnichannel tech
Walmart has announced a new store design and layout focusing on a digitally enabled shopping experience.
This will come to 200 of its 4,500 US stores over the next few months and another 800 next year. The aim is to create “seamless omnichannel experiences that save our customers time and inspire them whether in-store, online or via mobile,” an online post notes.
5. Kroger reveals site details for first Ocado mini CFC
Kroger has confirmed Romulus, Michigan, as the site for its first Ocado powered mini customer fulfilment centre (CFC).
The 135,000-square-foot facility facility will set the retailer back $95 million. It is expected to become operational 18 months after the site breaks ground and will support customers in several markets, including Michigan, Northern Ohio, and Indiana.
